2013 Nissan Altima
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 2,310
- Recalls
- 12
- Investigations
- 5
- Top problem
- Air bags
Campaigns on file for 2013
Opened by NHTSA
22% of complaints
Complaints per year
2013: 2,310 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1993 | 125 |
| 1994 | 113 |
| 1995 | 180 |
| 1996 | 92 |
| 1997 | 108 |
| 1998 | 123 |
| 1999 | 87 |
| 2000 | 160 |
| 2001 | 159 |
| 2002 | 1,047 |
| 2003 | 883 |
| 2004 | 276 |
| 2005 | 1,091 |
| 2006 | 824 |
| 2007 | 471 |
| 2008 | 1,029 |
| 2009 | 1,547 |
| 2010 | 381 |
| 2011 | 241 |
| 2012 | 426 |
| 2013 | 2,310 |
| 2014 | 1,114 |
| 2015 | 954 |
| 2016 | 553 |
| 2017 | 391 |
| 2018 | 226 |
| 2019 | 231 |
| 2020 | 178 |
| 2021 | 70 |
| 2022 | 30 |
| 2023 | 29 |
| 2024 | 41 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Air bags
22% · 514 reportsMost commonly citing air bag/restraint control module.
Show complaint excerpts
The contact's brother owned a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while her brother was driving at an undisclosed speed from a stop sign, another vehicle in the left lane crashed into the contact's brother's front driver's side.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-03-12
I was traveling straight and made an abrupt turn. I lost control of my car and struck a pole, then hit a brick building. None of the airbags in my vehicle deployed and I hit my nose on the steering wheel and sustained other injuries.
NHTSA ODI report, 2024-07-22
Takata recall on August 15, 2017 I was in an accident on my way to work in which I swerved so I wouldn't hit a deer and instead hit a tree damaging the front middle portion of my car which,,,to my surprise,,,, my airbags never deployed and...
NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-24
Power train
22% · 505 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and torque converter.
Show complaint excerpts
Resuming after a stop the car was sluggish. It felt like the transmission was slipping. There were several strong jerking motions for a few seconds. Then when it fully engaged the car lurched forward at a higher than expected speed.
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-06-13
Exterior lighting
19% · 443 reportsMost commonly citing headlights and high/low beam dimmer switch.
Show complaint excerpts
We haven't driven the car in like 10 days and tried starting it and it wouldn't start.
NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-27
Also filed under Electrical system
The headlight housings metallic coatings for reflectivity are failing and reduce the efficacy of the headlights. There has been a class action lawsuit against Nissan for this but many, like myself, were not notified.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-01
Suspension
13% · 292 reportsMost commonly citing rear and lower arm.
Electrical system
7% · 159 reportsMost commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and wiring.
Show complaint excerpts
Front passenger door lock actuator fails to unlock door when driver's, passengers or key fob to unlock is activated. All other doors (3) work as they should.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-01
Safety timeline
12 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2012-11-12Steering, suspension12V494000 Nissan is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Altima vehicles manufactured from May 10, 2012, through July 26, 2012. These vehicles may have been equipped with transverse link bolts and power…
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the bolts to the proper torque specifications. The safety recall is expected to begin during November 2012. Owners may contact Nissan Customer…
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2013Complaint volume 2,310 complaints filed for this model year.
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2013-04-29Tires13V158000 Nissan North America is recalling certain model year 2013 Altima vehicles manufactured March 21, 2012, through March 26, 2013. The spare tires may have been significantly over- or under-inflated.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and adjust the spare tire pressure, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 29, 2013. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
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2013-05-06Air bags13V069000 Nissan is recalling certain model year 2013 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, Sentra, and Infiniti JX35 vehicles. Sensors within the passenger Occupant Detection System (ODS) may have been manufactured out…
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ODS sensors and replace them as neccessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 6, 2013. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at…
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2014-04-14Air bags, electrical system14V138000 Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, and Sentra, model year 2013 NV200 (aka Taxi) and Infiniti JX35 and model year 2014 Infiniti Q50 and QX60 vehicles.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
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2014-10-20Latches/locks/linkages14V565000 Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013 Nissan Altima vehicles manufactured March 6, 2012, to February 28, 2013.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will be instructed to modify the bend angle of the hood actuation lever to eliminate potential interference with the hood inner panel. In addition, dealers will clean and lubricate the latch joint as needed.
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2015-03-18Recall queryClosed 2015-09-01 Occupant Classification System Failure
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2015-03-31Latches/locks/linkages15V116000 Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Nissan Altima vehicles manufactured March 1, 2013, to December 31, 2014.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will be instructed to modify the bend angle of the hood actuation lever to eliminate potential interference with the hood inner panel. In addition, dealers will clean and lubricate the latch joint as needed.
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2015-08-31Engineering analysisClosed 2017-05-02 Occupant Classification System Failure
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2015-09-28Fuel system, gasoline15V486000 Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) notified the agency on July 31, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2016 Nissan Maxima vehicles manufactured February 10, 2015, to August 18, 2015.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer ring between the fuel tank and the fuel sending unit. The recall began on September 28, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
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2015-11-30Air bags15V681000 Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Altima and Pathfinder vehicles, 2013-2014 Nissan Sentra vehicles, 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles, 2014-2015 Infiniti QX60 vehicles and 2014 Infiniti QX60 Hybrid vehicles.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on November 30, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
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2016-02-17Latches/locks/linkages16V029000 Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Nissan Altima vehicles manufactured March 6, 2012, to December 31, 2014.
Remedy: These vehicles were previously included in recalls 14V-565 and 15V-116, however the previous remedy plan may not have been performed consistently to remove the safety risk.
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2016-06-10Air bags16V244000 Nissan North America, Inc.
Remedy: Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors.
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2017-02-13Air bags16V911000 Nissan North America, Inc.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ECU and update the OCS software free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
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2018-12-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 2019-08-21 Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
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2019-07-29Engineering analysisClosed 2025-06-16 Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
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2021-06-30Latches/locks/linkages20V315000 Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2018 Nissan Altima vehicles. If the primary hood latch is inadvertently released, there is an increased likelihood that the secondary hood latch may corrode over time.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will install a stronger release spring in the hood release lever, a warning label near the secondary hood latch, and an OwnerÂs Manual addendum card with instructions on how to lubricate and maintain the...
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2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Buy-smart checklist
2013 Nissan Altima — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Air bags: 514 reports on file for this year.
- Power train: 505 reports on file for this year.
- Exterior lighting: 443 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 12V494000 · Steering, suspension
- Recall 13V158000 · Tires
- Recall 13V069000 · Air bags
- Recall 14V138000 · Air bags, electrical system
- Recall 14V565000 · Latches/locks/linkages
- Recall 15V116000 · Latches/locks/linkages
- Recall 15V486000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 15V681000 · Air bags
- Recall 16V029000 · Latches/locks/linkages
- Recall 16V244000 · Air bags
- Recall 16V911000 · Air bags
- Recall 20V315000 · Latches/locks/linkages
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2013 Nissan Altima reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2013 Nissan Altima is rated "significantly worse".
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Nissan Altima?
- The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2013 Nissan Altima have?
- 12 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.